Capacity of various food materials to support growth and reproduction of epigeic earthworms on vermicompost

Abstract Biomass production and reproduction of tropical epigeic earthworms (Eisenia fetida, Perionyx excavatus, and Dicogaster bolaui) were studied using in-situ vermicomposts to assess the suitability of different forest litters, i.e., Tectona grandis(teak), Madhuca indica(mahua), and Butea monosperma (palas) and crop residues, i.e., Triticum aestivum L. (wheat), Glycine max Merri. L. (soybean), and Brasica juncea L. (mustard) as food materials. The leaf litter of T. grandis and the wheat crop residue (T. aestivum L.) were found to be the most suitable food material for these earthworms. Comparisons of the survival and reproduction rate of three epigeic earthworms revealed that the higher reproduction rate was maintained in case of E. fetida compared to P. excavatus and D. bolaui in these vermicomposts. The progressive decrease in total organic carbon, C/N ratios, water-soluble carbohydrates, and biodegradability index was observed irrespective of treatments in the progressive stage of decomposition. Th...